Heat engine having an electrically actuated valve mechanism



July 22, 1952 w. A. RAY 2,604,079 I HEAT ENGINE'HAVING AN ELECTRICALLYACTUATED VALVE MECHANISM Filed May 7, 1945 I Zia/4444 44843- IN VEN TOR.

ATTOBVEX Patented July 22, 1952 HEAT ENGINE HAVING AN ELECTRICALLYACTUATED VALVE MECHANISM William A. Ray, North Hollywood, Calif.

ApplicationMay 7, 1945, Serial No. 592,421

p 1 I v This invention relates to heat engines utilizing an elasticfluid medium, such as steam.

'Steamengines adapted to operate a substantially steady load, or onethat is moderately variable, have been designed to performsatisfactorily. However, where the load is such that rapid fluctuationsin speed and torque occur, it is necessary specially to considerthe'characteristics of suchengines. Loads of this fluctuating type areencountered in the operation 'of motor vehicles, such as passenger cars,coaches, busses, and

trucks. v

In the past, vehicles of this character have been driven generally byprime movers that are best adapted to operate at speeds and torques thatdo not varyv greatly, such as gasoline or diesel engines; hence thenecessity for providing expen-' sive and complex mechanisms for varyingthe rates of transmission. Steam engines have also been utilized to alimited extent for driving such vehicles, but their general efficiencyhas been low due to the employment of manually adjustable cut-off meansto alter the expansion ratio of the steam in accordance with variationsin the load requirements. I

It isone of the objects of this invention to make it possibleeffectively to provide an elastic fluid engine (such as a steam engine)that can satisfactorily propel a motor vehicle, and that obviates-thenecessity for such ratio changing gearsor devices. I

The invention more particularly relates to a reciprocating engine.employing a cylinder and piston, with a valvesystem for admitting anddischarging. steam from the, cylinder; and, -fur-. ther, to one that ischaracterized by the use of high steam pressures of from 500 to 1500pounds per square inch, and to one, also, that is adapted to operatebetween wire speed and torque variations. 1 The operation of suchengines, is a function of the points of admission and cut-off of thesteam into the cylinder or cylinders, as well as of the point at whichexhaust is eifective. Ordinarily, 'the point of admission is preferablyslightly ahead of the completion of a prior stroke; that is, there is alead. The interval between admission and cut-off determines the amountof steam that passes into the cylinder; 'andthe point of cut-offdetermines'the extent of expan- 20 Claims. (01. 121-149 sion prior toexhaust. Obviously, the greater the expansion, the less the mechanicalenergy developed in a cycle,v corresponding to a reduction in power, V

Accordingly, the' performance of the. engine 2 may be controlled byadjustingtheamountof; lead, as well as the point of cut-off, withoutmaterial throttling 0f the steam pressure. 1 It is another object ofthis invention tomake it possible to adapt this method of-control to:an. engine operating for at least apart of the time, at high'speeds,asdemanded in an automotive. vehicle. f V V In order to accomplish theseresults, the present invention contemplates the use ofelectromagnetically operated valves, and especially'for' the admissionof steam to the cylinder. .In this way, byappropriate circuit design,the valves can be operated Very rapidly. Such valves have'addi-L- tionaladvantages. Thus; when the piston: is. at: its extreme position adjacenta cylinder head,"the: clearance or volume of the resultantcylinder spacecan be kept very low, since such valve's do not require pockets or otherspace wasting'devices.

It is accordingly another object ofthis invention to make it possible tooperate the valves ofa reciprocating steam engine by the aid of elec-" tt 1 "l It is still another object of thisinvention 6 make it possible tocut off the admission of steam-' at any point in the reciprocatingmotion of'the piston, no matter how close it may be to the point ofadmission. In thisway,'.veryhigh expansion ratios and attendantincreased heat efficiency are attainable; A N .V

There are conditions of operation of an auto; mobile, as during'coastingfthat require little power. whether the vehicle be operating ateither a low speed ora high speed. It is another object V of thisinvention-to ensure that the electromag netically operated valves will.function rapidly enough to control theadmiss'i'on 'orfcut-off ofthesteam at any speed, and particularlyfto provide a sufficiently rapidcut-off to ensure against wire drawing or throttlingof the steam by thevalve even though thei'engine'is operating-at a, high speed and thepoint of cut-off is but.a very, small'per cent of the engine stroke. 7The operation ofa throttle valve util zed in this instanceto.-contro1the engine. It .is an other object of this invention to m'akeit possible to vary the engine performance throughoutgalarge range ofspeed and torque by theaid. of

' arelativelysmall pressure dlOp',HOTOSSthdthIOjQfl Furthermore, thelead ofjthe' inlet -valve. r

valves is automatically adjusted inaccordance through the cover'I5. 7

. 3 with the speed of the engine, so that, as the speed increases, thelead is also increased.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of oneembodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form inthe drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification.This form will now be described in detal, illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood'that thisdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an engine and its controlsystem, incorporating the invention; and

Figure 2 is a diagram of the circuit controller formingapart of theengine. 7 U p,

In the present instance, a uni-flow engine is illustrated in which thereis a cylinder I provided with acentral annular exhaust passage 2connected appropriately to an exhaust pipe 3.

Each end of the cylinder I is provided with a cylinder head and valvesfor, admittingsteam in a cyclic manner to either end of the cylinder l,and thereby operating the reciprocating, piston structure 4. Thispistonstructure 4 isillustrated inFigure 1 in an intermediate position,traveling toward the right. U V

. The piston structure 4 is connected with a, stem 6 that may beappropriately arranged through mechanical connections todrive a load,such as I an automobile or othervehicle, at varying speeds andtorques.

.Theleft-hand cylinder head includes a valve plate. IS in whicharelocated a number of ports or valve openings 1, 8, etc. These ports oropenings; are located symmetrically in annular fashion. around the axisof the cylinder V I, and as many of them as convenient are provided;They are intended to be controlled by the valve closure members i-l, I0,etc. These members are adapted to seat on narrow valve seats disposedaround eachopening. By this arrangement a large flow of ste am 'ispermitted, uniformly distributed around the axis of piston structure 4.The uniror'mity thus attained ensures that'the temperature differentialsalong the axis ofthe cylinder I are also substantially uniform.Furthermore, each'closure 'is'lo'cated exteriorl'y of the'cylinderspacey, Each of the closure members 9, 'I 0; etc; is pref: erablymade ofmagnetic 'i'material adapfi d'to be mag'netically'attracted foropening-the ports "I, 8, tc. by' the aid of electromagnets I I, I2, etc.These electromagnets-are energized by the aid 6! the coils I3, I'4,etc:;one for each closure.

The electromagnets are shown as supported in an annular recess formed ina cover I5 through whichthe stem-5 extends. Each of the electromagnetsII, I2,'etc. is'provid'ed-with a small core around which the coils I3,I4 respectively may be disposed. Appropriate packing I6 may be providedaround the stem'5, where the stem extends At the right-hand end ofthecy-linder I, simi-: m electromagnetic structures 11, I8, etc. areprovided and supported in a covermember I9 adsteam until theelectromagnets II, l2, l1, I8, etc. are energized to lift the valveclosure members from their seats. If desired, suitable spring means maybe provided for urging each of the closures 9, I9, 2I, 22, etc. towardits seat, supplementing the steam pressure for this purpose.

Steam is transmitted through the conduits 25, 2 6, to spaces exterior ofthe cylinder chambers 21 and 28, and to the inlet side of the valveopenings. Thus, the conduit 25 leads to the space formed by the valveplate 6 and cover member I5. Similarly, conduit 26 leads to the spacebetween the valve plate 20 and the cover member I9. Both the conduits 25and 26 are branched from the main steam supply line 29.

operating the engine, steam is alternately admitted in'proper sequencefrom the conduits 25 and 26 by appropriate cyclic energization of r theelectromagnets II, I2, etc., and I1, I8, etc.

The steam, in passing through the conduit 25 and ports 'I and 8, makesbut one turn a nd stroke, the left-hand end of the piston fi unoov--ering the exhaust port 2 just before the piston reaches the end of itsstroke. At the end of the stroke, the right-hand face of the piston 4will be very close to the valve plate 20.

At about the time the piston 4 reaches the end of its stroke, the valveclosures 2|, 22, etc. are unseated, admitting steam to chamber 28 tourge the piston 4 toward the left. The closures 2I, 22 seat when thepiston 4 reaches the point of cut-off, steam in chamber 28 expandinguntil the right-hand edge of the piston uncovers the I exhaust port 2 asthe piston nears the left-hand 5 end of its stroke. At the end of thestroke, the

left-hand face of the piston is closely adjacent the plate 6; and, atabout this time, the valves 9, I0, etc. unseat, admitting steam tochamber 21 for a new cycle of operation.

The valve closures 9, I0, 2|, 22, etc., may be provided with a smallamount of lead, permitting steam to enter the respective chambers2'I.an'd 28 prior to the completion of the piston'stroke. This lead ispreferably adjustable, as will be eX- plained hereinafter. Furthermore,the point of cut-off and lead is to some extent under the control of theoperator, and the engine performance is also a function of this cut-ofipoint.

By providing electromagnetically operated inlet valves, the closures ofwhichare disposed exte riorly of chamber '27 and 28, it is possible tore duce the clearance to asmall amount; that is, the volume ofthe'cylinder space may be reduced to ajvery small value, atthe point inthe cycle where' 'the piston is at the end of its stroke. 'This ispossible because there are no valve pockets in jacent the. cylinder.head; valveplate 20.. In this I instance, the valveclosures.2l,-22,.etc. cooperate with the. admissionports'23, 124, etc.

'Eachoflthe closures s. I". 21. hamsters against its respective seat'bythe pressure of the which steam is permitted'to enter. "The clear ance,in fact, can 'be reduced to a degree ap preaching that which is justsufficient to providemech'anic'al tolerance between the end'faces of thepiston structure-4 and the, cooper. fig

surfaces'o'f valve 'piatesiea ne-zo. clearances o lessthari 1% may beeasily obtained by' this means.-

In order to a throttle valve 30 which isarranged in conduit 29. Thisthrottle valve is intendedto be opertling,but by adjusting the point ofcut-offs The control of the throttle valve 33 is made to'determine thispoint, which may come very close to the point of admission when only lowpower requirements are needed. On-the other hand, the point of cut-offmay come later on in the cycle, permitting more steam to enter, withconsequent reduced expansion. This corresponds to a greater powerdemand.

The cut-off may take place after a very short interval of admission; infact, by the aid of". the control devices to be' hereinafter described,extremely hig-h expansion can be effected, cut-off taking place at apoint corresponding to a fraction of one per cent after the beginning ofthe cycle. I

The circuit controller for the energization' of the electromagnets H,I2, I! and 18, etc., includes a drum 3| which is driven in synchronismwith the engine, as by the aid of a connecting rod 32, a crank 33, and amandrel or shaft 34 upon which the drum 3| is mounted.

The drum 3| carries atriangular conducting segment 35. This segment isshown as electrically connected with a collector ring 36, also mountedon the drum; and which is in continuous contact with a brush structure31. The drum'3l is shown'as rotating in a counterclockwise direction,andthe segment 35 is arranged alternately to contact brush structures 38and 39.

Brush structures .31, 38, and 39 may be of any suitable type, in which acontact, suchas a carbon brush, is spring-pressed against theperipheryofthedrum3l. 7 L p V Triangular segment 35 is so placed on drum3| thatone of its longer sides 3| is parallel to the axis of rotation.The segment narrows toward the right, as viewed in Figure 1..Accordingly, adjustment of brush structures 38 and 39 in an axialdirection determines the interval that these brushes stay in contactwith the segment 35. The farther the brushes 38 and 39 are moved in adirection toward the right, as viewed in Figure 1, the shorter theinterval of contact be'-. comes. This interval of contact corresponds tocontrol the engine, use is made of This ispossible since the per--formance of the engine is efiected, not by -throt-' the" period oi?admission, and the, shorter it is, I

the closer does cut-off approach the point oi:

admission.

Control of the brush structures 38 and 39 is effected in response to thedifierence in pressure on opposite sides of the throttle valve 30. The.greater .the differenoegin pressure,1the farther are brush structures 38and39, urgedtoward the right, and :the point ofcut-off.'approachesacloser and closer to the point of admissioniJIhiscorresponds to'a desire on the part of the operator to reduce the powerof the engine. However, in the event the valve 30 is entirely open, whenmaximum power is required, the brush structures 38' and 39 aremovedtoward the left toincrease the interval of admission. i

This result is obtained by the aid of the pressure. responsive mechanism40. This, mayinelude, for example,a,pair of metalbellows 4| and 42. Theexterior of the bellows defines-with housings 43..and 44, pressurechambers and.

Pressure chamber 45, is in communication;

46. with the inlet side of valve 30, as by the aid of the conduit 41.Pressure chamber 46 isin communication with the outlet side of the valve30, as by the aid of conduit 48. The inside surfaces of the bellows 4|and 42 are exposed to atmosphere. The adjacentends of the bellows arefixed. to appropriate flanges on the housin s,

and 44. The movable end walls 49 and 5110f the bellows 4| and 42 arejoined by a rod 5|., The

position of the. rod 5| is determined by the dif-- ferential in thepressures existing. in chambers 45 and 46. :Chamber'45 has a--prcssureprepon-,

derating over that in: chamber 46. As the pressure drop across throttlevalve 30 increases, the; rod 5| is urged towardthe right. As thepressurez drop decreases, the rod 5| is permitted to move toward theleft.

1 This movementof rod 5| is the brush structures 38 and 39 in acorrespond ing direction. For this purpose, these structures 38 and 39are shown as pivotally mounted ree spectively in standards 53 and 54 sothat they may be swung about axes spaced considerably below the axisoffshaft 34. ,Rod 5| is connected to the brush. structures 38, 39by thevaidof-the connections 55 and 56.

Assuming that power requirements are low, the.

pressure drop across throttle valve 30 is increased, the valveapproaching a fully closed position.

The brush structures 38, 39 move toward the right, and the cut-off iscaused to take place at a point close to the point of admission.) Thiscan occur, for example, while coasting or while going downhill,regardless of whether the engine is operating ata relativelyhigh'speed,or at a low speed.

This adjustment of the cut-off in turn has an effect upon the pressuredrop across valve 30. The earlier the cut-off takes place, the less isthe pres sure permitted to drop. Accordingly, thereis an equilibriumestablished between the pointof cut-- oil? and the pressure drop acrossthe valve 30-to suit the particular requirements of the'load.

It is desirable that the brush structures 38 and 39 be biased towardlate cut-oil position. This not only ensures that the engine will startunder conditions of a limitedexpansion ratio ensuring adequatestartingtorque, but also properly'positions the brushesunder conditions of heavyloading, with the valve 30 fully open when-the, pressures in thechambers 45 and46 may be equal. For this purpose a light springisadjustably tensioned between an anchor screw 9| and the connecting bar55. The spring 90urges thebrush structures 38 and 39, to the left inFig. 11 under conditions of substantial equilibrium of pressures in thechambers 45 and. 46, a suitable stop 92 being provided to limit suchmovement of the brush structures. Upon existence of asufiicient excessof pressure inchamber 45 over that. inxchamber 46, structures .38 and.39V are moved to the.:-right against the force exerted by the spring.96 to ad'- vance the point oficut-off'. Adjustment of the screw 9|serves to alter the tension of the spring 90 and thus adjust the pointof cut-off foravgiven pressure differential. between. the: chambers 4-5and 46,-1-13 .3

utilized to move agecso'zcv.

'Ihe segment 35, as heretofore stated, alter;

nately contacts brush structures 38 and 39, caus ing' energization ofelectromagnets I I, I2; etc.) and subsequent "energization ofelectromagnets I1, 18,.

at relatively high speeds, of the order of one or two thousandrevolutions "per minute.

The electric circuits whereby this fast opera tion may be accomplishedare diagrammatically illustrated 'in Figure 1. a

Thus, the coils l3, l4, 'etc., controllingthe valves at the'left' 'handside of thecylinder I are shown as supplied with current from the outputcircuit.

of 'the'electronic emission device 51. This output circuit is permittedto passcurrent only while segment 35 is in contact with brushstructure38.v

The output circu-it includesplate or anode 58, coils H, [2, etc.,'.andasource of direct current,

such a's'the battery 59, connection 60, to the.

cathodeor filament BI. The' space current betweenthe filament BI and theplate 58 is con-a trolled vb'y'the-control electrode or grid 82. This,

in turn, is connected a by lead 63 to the brush:

current energy, such as battery 66, and connec-.

tions '61 andtll to the cathode 6 l. r Normally, "while the segment, 35and brush structure 38 are out of contact, a negative potential isimpressed upon grid 62, preventing passage of anys ace current. This maybe accomplished by' the aidof the biasing battery 68' and the high gridresistance 69, which are connected: across the input'ci rcuit. At thesame time, a condenser 10 is being charged by the battery 66 through theresistance85.'

=-.'However, as soon as contact is made between segment35 and brushstructure 38, the condenser 10 discharges through these contacts andresist ance BQ tO'increa'se the potential of the'control electrode 62. aThis, in turn,- instantaneously causes a heavy flow of current in theoutput 'circuitfroin thecondenser H which had theretofore been chargedby the battery 59. This heavy current persists but for-a very: shortinterval, and is followed by anormal steady flow from batte'ry59. Thedischarging current, although of very short duration; issuflicient'instantaneously to cause attraction of the closure members 9,Hl etc; and the valves are opened. The steady current from battery '59is sufiicient 'to'keep the closures in attracted position,anduntilsegment 35 passes out of'co'ntactwith brushstructure38. At thattime the output'circuit is deenergized and the 'valves are permitted toclose. 1 -'l I I The use ofa surge current from-the condenser :H is ofgreat importance, as it causes very rapid operation-of the valves. Thiscurrent, in fact, is large enough to exceed substantially instantaneeously -the saturation requirements of the e1ectromagnet" structure. r

The circuit-is'so desi ned, especially resistances 6-5. 69andi'cond'ensers'ifl,Hathat these condensers mayibe fully charged in'theintervaf'betweenfsuccessive establishment of contact between isegearen't-35 andbrus'h structure '38. H

Whenseg-ment 35 comes into contact with brush structure 139, theelectronic emission device 12 operates in a similar manner to'energize'electro: magnet structures I1, l8, etc. Thus, theoutput circuit,as'befor'e; can be traced .from the-plate or anode l3, electromagnetstructures [1, I8, battery 59. and condenser H in parallel, to thecathode or filament 14. The current through this output circuit has aninstantaneously high value as before. The control electrode 15 is soconnected that its, potential is raised just as soon as brush structure39is in contact with segment 3'5. The

input circuit thus includes .control electrode 15,

connection 16,, brush structure-3 9,- segment 35,

collector ring 36, brush structure 3], connection.

64,; condenser 10 in parallel with resistance 55 and battery 66,connectionBl, to cathode i4. The condenser 10. having been previouslycharged. serves to raise the potential of grid 15 sufficiently to causeoperationpf the output circuit. As before, a resistance H and abiasingbattery 18 may be bridged across the input circuit to renderv the deviceI2 inactive betweenthe intervals of contact between segment 35 and brushstructure 39.

The shape of segment 35 may be made as desired, to determine theinter-relationship between the pressure differential across the throttlevalve 30 and the point of cut-off of the admiss-ion valves.

. Another function important in the operation of the engineis the lead,?or period that the inlet valves are open prior to the end of the strokeof the piston structure 4. This lead adjustment is preferablyindependent of the period of admission. For operation at high speeds,the lead should be increased, not only to provide a proper cushion forthe movement of the piston structure, but .also to get the steam intothecylinder at the right time to be used most efficiently.

This lead is adjustable in the present instance by relative angularadjustment of drum 3 IV on its shaft 34 in response to speed variations.Athigh speeds, the drum 3| is angularly adjusted in a counter-clockwise.direction to cause segment 35 to contactbrush structures '38 and 39 atan earher period or 'point than before.

This angular adjustment is provided by the "aid of a speed responsivedevice 19. This device is mounted on the shaft 34 and is provided withcentrifugal weights and '8I. These weights arelocated at the extremitiesof arms and-86 pivotally mounted on the device 19. Springs 82and-83-conhect these *arms and provide a force tending to draw theweights 80 and 8| inwardly. However, as the speed increases, the arms 85and 86-separate and operate links 84 (only one of which-is shown)connected to drum 34 for imparting an angular movement of 'drum '31 withrespect to shaft 34.

'FOr eXampIe, at high speeds and low torque requirements, such as whencoasting or going downhill, the lead is automatically increased by the--operation of the centrifugal device 19. Furthermoregthe point ofcut-off is advanced. Thus, very little steam is utilized in the cylinderchambers 21 a'nd28, due to the huge pressure .drop across :thethrottle30, which is nearly or entirely closed under such conditions. The steamexpansionflis greater and the efficiency of theengine is increased;However, as soon as the load requires a heavyitorque; as during a periodof .acceleraeach' cyc1e;.. The :amount of expansion issconsiderablyureduced.

In the event of excessive pressure in chamber 2-! or 28, the valveclosures 9, I9, 2|, 22, etc., au-

tomatically unseat .to relieve this pressure. supplemental relief valveis necessary.

Since operation of the throttle valve 30 automatically causes a balanceto be established bev tween the point of cut-off and the quantity ofsteam passing vthe valve 30, the need of reducing gearing, or the like,to comply with the load rereciprocating piston therein: one or morevalves for controlling the admission of an elastic fluid medium to thecylinder; electromagnetic means for operating the valve or valves; athrottle valve forv controlling the pressure of the medium pass ing tothe; said electromagnetically operated valve or valves; and meansresponsive to the pressure drop across the throttle valve for,determining the point wheresaid electromagnetically operated valve orvalves close; and meansconi trollable atwill for adjusting said throttlevalve.

, .3. In a heat engine having a cylinder and a reciprocating pistontherein: one or more valves for controlling the admission of an elasticfluid 1 medium to the cylinder; electromagnetic means for operating thevalve or valves; means operated in accordance with the speed of theengine to adjust the point of admission; and means for controlling thelength of the period in each cycle during which the valve or valvesremain open.

4. In a heat engine having a cylinder and a reciprocating pistontherein: one or more valves for controlling the admission of an elasticfluid medium to the cylinder; electromagnetic means for operating thevalve or valves; a rotary drum, means connecting the drum to the engine;said drum having a circuit controlling segment thereon; a contact membercooperating with the drum; for cyclically energizing theelectromagnetically operated valve or valves; and means adjusting theangular position of the drum with respect to said connecting means, andoperating in I accordance with the speed of theengine.

, 5.,In a heat engine having a cylinder and a reciprocating pistontherein: one or more valves for controlling the admission of an elasticfluid medium to the cylinder; electromagnetic means j for operating thevalve or valves; and means controlling the energization of saidelectromagnetic means, comprising: a conducting member movable inaccordance with the movement of the piston; a cooperating contactmember; one of said members being adjustable to vary the interval duringwhich the members are in engagement; a throttle valve; and meansresponsive to the drop in pressure across the throttle valve to adjustsaid adjustable member; and means controllable at will for adjustingsaid throttle valve.

6. In a heat engine: a cylinder; a reciprocating piston therein; saidcylinder having a head with a number of annularly arranged openings;closure members for said openings and arranged exterioriy of thecylinder chamber; and a series of electromagnets for respectivelyoperating said .1 closure members; and means for simultaneouslyenergizing and deenergizing all of said electromagnets.

'7. In a steam engine having one or more inlet valves for the admissionof steam to a cylinder, and a piston movable in the cylinder;electromagnetic means for opening said inlet valve or valves; a circuitincluding a circuit controller operated in accordance with themovementof the piston, for energizing the electromagnetic means-for theadmission of steam; as well as a source of direct current and an energystoring device from said'source for ensuring quick .opening of the valveor valves by providingan initial increased flow of electrical energy tothe electromagnetic means. 7

8. In a steam engine having one or more inlet I valves for the admissionof steam to a cylinder;

and a piston movable in the cylinder; electromagnetic means for openingsaid inlet valve or valves; a circuit controller operated in accordancewith the movementof the piston, for energizing the electromagnetic meansfor the admission of steam; and means ensuring quick opening of thevalve or valves by providing an initial increased flow of electricalenergy to the electromagnetic means, comprising a condenser; meanscharging the condenserduringperiods when the electromagnetic means isinactive; and means causing the condenserto discharge when thecircuitcontroller-is closed. v 9. In a steam engine; having afthrottle valve,one or more inlet, valves for the admission of steam to a cylinder, anda piston movable in the cylinder: means for adjusting the point ofopening of 'the inlet valve or valves; and meansoperating in accordancewith the speed of. theengine forv operating said adjusting means,without altering the length of the period of opening.

10. In a fluid pressure engine adapted to operate a loadrequiringvariable speed andtorque and havinga controllable throttlevalve as wellas a valve for admitting fluid under pressure to the cylinder of theengine: means for determining the length of the period during which saidfluid is admittedduring each cycle; and means including a rotarymechanism operated by the engine to adjust said means in accordance withthe pressure differential across the throttle valve, to decrease saidperiod as the pressure differential is increased, and to increase saidperiod as the pressure differential is decreased.

111. In a steam engine having, one or moreinlet valves'for the admissionof steamto a cylinder,

and a piston movable in the cylinder; electromagnetic means for openingsaid inlet valve or valves; a circuit controller operated in accordancewith the movement of the piston, for energizingthe electromagneticmeans'for the admission of steam; and means ensuring quick opening ofthe valve or valves by providing an initial increased flow of electricalenergy to the electromagnetic means, comprisingan electronic emissiondevice; said circuit controller controlling said device; and an outputcircuit for said device in which the electromagnetic means is included,said output circuit also including a condenser and a source of potentialdifference that charges the condenser during the period when theelectronic emission device is inactive.

12. In a fluid pressure engine for driving loads requiring variablespeed and torque: a cylinder; a piston in the cylinder; a valve forcontrolling the cyclic admission of fluid into the cylinder; a throttlevalve for controlling the flow of fluid ,fofcontrolling the admission ofan elastic fluid mediurri to the cylinder through successive cycles;electromagnetic means for operating a T valveor valvesyand means toadjust the point of admission without altering the length of the periodof admission; including a pair of relatively an ularly adjustablemembers and means 'for ,rotatingpne of said inembersin accordance withthe speed of the-'engine-.-**

" jIefIn a heat enginehaving-a cylinder and a V reciprocating, pistonthe'reinf-one-or more valves fofcontrolling the admission of an elasticfluid medium/to the cylinder electromagnetic means f' fcroperatingtheivalve-orvalvesra throttle valve ior'fcontrolling the pressure of themedium passin 'fto' the said -'electromagnetically operated Ivalveorvalves; means responsive to the pressure drop across: thethrottle valve for-determining the point' wheresaid electromagneticallyoperatedivalve or'valvesclosepand means to adjust thepoint of admission;including a pair of' relativelynangularly adjustablemembers; and meansfor "rotatingone of said membersin accordance withthe speed oftheenginex v l5'.:I'n' a heatjiengine-having a' cylinder-"andareciprocating pistomthe'rein: oneor more valves j forcontrollin'g-- the*admissioirof Y an elastic fluid mediufmto the cylinder-ielectromagnetic means for ioperatingthe valve ;or valves; and meanscontrollingthe" energizing of said electromagnetic"means-comprising!" aconducting member ,rot'ated' by "the-movement ofthe-piston;acooperating'fcontact memberr one "of said "members beingj adjustable tov-arythe interval during whicirtthe'members are-in engagementya throttlevalve; means responsive to the drop in pressure 3 across "the throttlevalve to adjust said Jadjustable member'r and means to adjust thepoint'fof admission of saidvalve or valves; com- 'prising'means foradjusting theangular position of the "other" member.

161 In a'heat' engine: a cylinder: a reciprocating pistonthereiny saidcylinder having a head with: 'af'num'ber of annularly'arranged' inletopeningsithereinyinlet valvemembers for said openings? "andfarrangedexteriorly' of the? cylinder chamberya'series of electromagnets;respectively 'for' operating said inlet valve members individuallyf and"means for simultaneously energizing and deenergizingall ofsaidjelectromagnets.

' 17. In a heatenginez'a cylinder; "a reciprocatingpistoiitherlein; said'cylinder having a head witha number of annularly'arranged inletopenings therein; ;inlet valve members for said openl2 ings and arrangedexteriorly of the cylinder chamber; "and a series'bf electromagnets,respectively for-operatingsaidinletvalve -members individually? andcircuit controlling means-sfor energizing saidelectromagnetssimultaneously.

18. -In a steam engine having one or moreinlet valves for the admissionof steam to a cylinder, and a piston movable in the cylinder: means-foradjusting the point=of opening of the inlet valve or valves; and meansoperating automatically in accordance with an operating condition" ofthe engine for operating saidadjusting means without altering the lengthof the period of opening of said inlet valve'or valves; includingapairof relatively "angularly' adjustable members and means for"rotating "one- 0f said members' in accordance with the speed of theengine.

195111 a-heat enginehavinga cylinder -anda reciprocating pistontherein-z one or more valves for controlling the admission of an elasticfluid medium to the cylinder;*=electromagnetic means foroperating thevalve or valves; and means for adjusting the point'of admission of themedium, comprising a pair'of' contact carrying members; one "of'said"members being rotatable by r the engine; and" means foradvancingand retarding 'theangular position-of said rotatable member.

20. In a heat'engine-having'a; cylinder'and' a reciprocating pistontherein: one or more valves for controlling the admission ofan-elastic'fluid medium to the cylinder; electromagnetic meansfor'operating the valve .01 valves;- and means for adjusting the point"of admission of the medium, comprising a pair of relatively'angularlymovable contact members; means for;rotating" one of said members inaccordance with the movement'iof the piston; and means responsive to thespeed of the engine for imparting .anincrement of angular movement tooneof said'm'embers- WILLIAM A. RAY? REFERENCES CITED Thefollowingreferences are. of record in the file :of' this patent;:

UNITED STATE S Number. Named. Date...

281,579 Storer July 17, .1883 525,005 Decombe. et al Aug. 28,1894.623,821. Payne Apr. .25, :1899 625,792 Naylor May..30; 1899 694,547Hood." Man. 4, .1902 855,892 Kendalah June-. 4, 1907 1,042,534.17 DawleyOct..29, l9l2 1,125,204 Stevens", Jan..19,- 1915 1,445,794.. OsbournFeb. 20, .1923 1 ,527,678. Farquhar Feb..24, 1925 2,289,203.= McGrew.July7, 1942 2,362,744 Culbertson 2 Nov. 14, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number1 Country Date 421 029 I Germany H Nov. 4, 1925

